Water softening apparatus



Get. 10, 1933. T. E. D. BILDE WATER 'S OFTENING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1929 Hij-2- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M ,wwf M Oct. 10, 1933. T E` D. BlLDE 1,929,405

WATER SOF'TENING APPARATUS Filed NOV. l2, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 44 JM @MJ f.

411.7 4,3 ATTORNEY Patented' oct. 1o, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE signor to Aktiebolaget Filtrum,

Stockholm,

Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Application November 12, 1929,

Serial No.

406,577, and in Germany November 13, 1928 6 Claims.

This invention relates to water softening apparatus and more particularly to a master valve device for effecting and controlling the different steps in the water softening and regenerating processes, the device being of the plug cock type having a plug rotatably mounted within a housing.

One object of my invention is the provision of a master valve which functions so as to prevent the occurrence of water hammer upon opening a closing of connections through the valve. This object is attained, in accordance with my invention, by so constructing the valve as to require a plurality of impulses to change the valve from one operative position to the next,- thus assuring a gradual opening and closing of the connections through the valve.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 shows an outside elevation of an apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.

Fig. 3 shows the controlling member on a larger scale in longitudinal section.

Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the controlling member shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 consists of diagrams showing the controlling member in different operating positions.

Referring to the drawings 10 shows a container which contains a mass of material 11 adapted for example to remove the hardness from water. Two quartz layers 13 and 14 are arranged between the bottom l2 of the container and the material 1l: the lower of which layers is formed of larger grains than the upper. A collector l5 is screwed into the bottom-l2 and is covered by a cap 16 which is connected with the bottom by means of supports 17 welded thereto. In the upper part of the container is located a pipe bend 18 which passes through the wall of the container, the upper end of the bend being, as shown in Fig. 2, provided with a flange 19. The top of the container 10 is closed by a plate 20 welded to the inner wall and provided with a central opening 21 to which is tted a ring shaped member 22. The opening 21 is closed by a cover 24 provided with packing 23 and is pressed in known manner against the ring 22 by means of a yoke 25 and a threaded bolt provided with a hand wheel 26. The hooks 28 of the yoke lie against a flange 29 arranged on the ring 22. In order to be able to remove the yoke together with cover 24, two recesses or the like 29a are provided in the ange 29.

The upper edge of the wall of the container 10 is covered overA by an annular cap 30 in order to protect operators against the sharp edge and also to improve the appearance of the same. The inner closing edge of the cap does not abut against the plate 20, but there is a small space 3l provided between the said parts so that water which may spurt out on raising the cover 24, can ow into the annular space formed between the plate 20 and the cap 30 and can be collected 65 therein. A pipe 32, preferably of small diameter opens into this annular space, the pipe being bent over and led along the outside of the container. As .soon as water has collected in the annular space up to the highest part of this pipe siphonic action takes place and empties the annular space.

A small container 33 open at the top is inserted through the opening 21. This container 33 has its bottom 34, and the lower part of the walls formed with small perforations 35. The bottom 34, which is supported by the ange 19, is also provided with an opening corresponding to the outer diameter of the pipe bend 18 to which a pipe 36 is secured. The upper end of the pipe 36 80 is provided with a reducing ring 37.

To the pipe bend 18 is attached a conduit 38 and to the collector 15, a conduit 39. Both these conduits are connected with a controlling member K which controls the apparatus and to the upper side of the controlling member K is also attached a pipe 40 and to the under side pipes 41 and 42.

The controlling member or master valve K is formed as a plug cock or multiple port valve and consists of a housing 43 having a conical bore in which a conical valve member or plug 44 is rotatably mounted. The housing 43 has five ports, a, b, c, d and e, to which the pipes 40, 38, 41, 39 and 42, are connected respectively. The plug 44 has four channels 3:, y, z and v, through which the ports a, b, c, d and e and the pipes 40, 38, 41, 39, and 42 can be inter-connected in several ways as shown in Fig. 6. The pipe 32 is further connected to the plug and opens into the waste water pipe. 'I'he plug 44 carries a hollow pin 45 in which is provided a spring 46 which projects against the inner side of a cover 4'7 and presses the plug continuously into the conical bore of the housing. The housing 43 is recessed at 48 so as to receive the cover 47 with the inter-position of packing 49 which on tightening the cover by means of the threaded bolts 50 is pressed in a radial direction against the conical 'surface of the plug. On the end 110 of the hollow pin 45 is formed a shoulder 51 against which an indicator disc 52 is pressed by means of a nut 53. The indicating disc indicates the various operating positions of the plug 44. In order to render the figures on the indicating disc visible from the exterior, the cover 47 is provided with an aperture 54 and a pointer 55 projecting into this opening.

vThe large end of the plug 44 is provided with four tooth like projections 56. On the hollow pin 45 is rotatably mounted a disc or ratchet plate 58 which is formed with twenty laterally arranged teeth 57 and with a handle 59. The spaces between the teeth 57 are shaped correspondingly to the teeth 56 and engage therewith. The handle 59 passes through a slot 60 .in the cover 47 which is constructed of such a `width that on an oscillating movement of the handle 59, plug 44 is only rotated through an angle which corresponds to the distance between two of the teeth 57, that is to say, the handle must be oscillated twenty times in order to rotate the plug through 360. Between the disc 58 and the indicator disc 52 is arranged a spring 61 which forces the disc 58 against the plug 44.

On the smaller end (Fig. 3) of the plug 44 is mounted a throttle disc 62 which is adjustably positioned by means of a bolt 63. The throttle disc 62 throttles the flow of liquid through the channel v and is provided with a part 64 bent at right angles, adapted to throttle the flow of liquid through the port e. The housing 43 is formed at its right end (Fig. 3) with an opening 65 in which is screwed a sleeve nut 67 provided with a projection 66. The threads of the sleeve nut and those of the corresponding opening in the housing are constructed ofsmall pitch. For the sake of safety the sleeve nut 67 is threaded to receive a lock nut 68 and between the latter and the housing 43 is arranged a packing 69. If the plug 44 becomes wedged too tightly in the conical bore of the housing the sleeve nut 67 is screwed in a little further whereupon the projection 66 which abuts against the bolt 63 pushes the plug 44 somewhat towards the left (Fig. 3).

The operation of the apparatus is as folloWs:-

The controlling member, that is to say, the plug cock K is adjusted for the treatment of liquid, for example, the softening of water, to the position shown in Fig. 6A. As soon as soft water is withdrawn through the pipe 41 hard water ows to the apparatus through the pipe 40 connected to the hard water line, port a channel :c port b pipes 38, 18, and 36, into the container 33, is distributed through the perforations 35 in the container wall and in the bottom 34, passes through the mass 11, is puried or softened thereby, collects within the quartz 13 and flows through the collector 15, pipe 39, port d, channel 3l, port c and pipe 41 to the point of consumption. In order that the mass is not carried along with the water, the small grained quartz' layer 14 is provided.

If after a certain time the purifying or softening capacity of the mass is decreased, for example by taking up the impurities, the plug cock K is moved into the next operating position (back ushing) by five oscillations of the handle 59, that is to say, it is brought into the position shown in Fig. 6B. In this case the hard water flows from the pipe 40 through the port a channel z, port d pipe 39, collector 15, is distributed by the larger quartz 13 and is forced then through the mass v11 in the opposite direction, flows through the perforations 35 of the container 33, pipes 36, 18 and 38, port b, channel v, over the throttle disc 62, over the bent down portion 64 through the port e to the waste water pipe 42. If desired, as can be seen from Fig. 6B, hard water can be withdrawn to the point of utilisation through the pipe 41 during the back flushing. On back flushing the impurities of the mass 11 will partly be forced out and partly the mass itself will become loosened so that later the regenerating solution can more easily pass therethrough.

After suflicient back flushing the plug is again rotated through 90 by five further oscillatory movements of the lever 59 and takes up the position shown in Fig. 6C. The container l0 is now completely filled with water and the pipes 38 and 39 thereof are closed. As can be seen, however, from Fig. 6C, hard water can still be withdrawn through the house pipe 41. The cover 24 is removed and a regenerating medium for example cooking salt is introduced into the container 33 also full of water, which medium is dissolved by the water. The cover is again fixed in its closing position.

The plug cock is now rotated by five further movements of the handle 59 and takes up the position shown in Fig. 6D. Hard water flows through the pipe 40, port a channel z port b and pipes 38, 18 and 36 into'the container 33 and presses the salt solution therein through the mass 11 which is thereby regenerated. The liquid then flows through the collector 15, pipe 39, port d channel o, over the throttling disc 62 and through the port e into the waste water pipe 42. The plug 44 is maintained a sufficient time in this position until the water flow through the pipe 42 no longer tastes salty. At this time the regenerating process is complete and the plug is again moved through a further 90 into the original position. Treatment of the Water can then again take place. In the operating position shown in Fig. 6D the apparatus is also by-passed, that is to say, hard Water can be withdrawn through the pipe 41.

It will be seen that the valve when in the position shown in Fig. 6A provides for watersoftening operation of the apparatus, whilein the remaining operative positions of the valve other operations pertaining to the lregeneration of the water softening material are effected, and all of the latter operative positions of the valve will hereinafter be referred to generally as positions effecting or permitting regenerating operations.

Due to the fact that a plurality of oscillations of the handle 59 is required in order to change master valve K from one operative position to the next succeedng operative position, it is assured that the resulting change in connections is effected gradually. Hence, water hammer, which is caused by a sudden starting or stopping of fiow, usually resulting from a sudden opening or closing of a valve, is eliminated. While I have described a valve so constructed as to require five oscillations of the operating handle to change it from one operative position to the next, it is apparent that the construction may be varied so that other numbers of oscillations may be required, so long as a plurality is necessary to effect complete closure of one set of connections and full opening of another set, respectively.

The object of the throttle disc 62 is to adapt the plug cock for any desired existing water pressure. During back flushing and the regenerating process the water must not be forced too quickly through the mass as otherwise in the first mentioned case the mass will be whirled about andv ejected, and in the latter case the salt solution will not act on the mass sufficiently long and the regeneration of the mass will therefore be incomplete. In accordance with the existing water pressure a smaller or larger throttle disc will therefore be arranged on the plug. The disc is primarily dimensioned for the salting process but should it ever be necessary to throttle the water still further on back iiushing than during the salting process, this is effected by the bent up portion 64. The throttling as regards back ushing is dependent not only on the existing water pressure but also on the specic weight\ of the mass.

I claim:

1. Regenerative water softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a movable valve member, each of said conduits communicating with a different one of said ports, said valve member having a plurality of operative positions for effecting different connections between the ports and being movable from one operative position to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between said ports, and means for moving said valve member from one operative position to a succeeding operative position, said means comprising an actuating member responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause movement of the valve member sufficient to effect complete closure of the ports with respect to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports With respect to a different connection between the ports.

2. Regenerative Water softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted t0 contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a movable valve member, each of said conduits communicating with a different one of said ports, said valve member having a plurality of operative positions for effecting different connections between the ports and being movable from one operative position to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between said ports, means comprising an actuating member for moving said valve member from one operative position to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between said ports, and means for restricting movement of said actuating member, said actuating member being responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause movement of the valve member suiciently to effect complete closure of the ports with respect to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports with respect to a different connection between the ports.

3. Regenerative water softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a movable valve member, `each of said conduits communicating with a different one of said ports, said valve member having a plurality of operative positions for e'ecting different connections between the ports and being movable from one operative position` to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between said ports, and means for moving said valve member from one operative position to a succeeding operative position, said means comprising ratchet mechanism, said ratchet mechanism being responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause movement of the valve member suiciently to effect complete closure of the ports with respect to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports with respect to a different connection between the ports.

4. Regenerative water softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted. to contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a movable valve member, each of said conduits communicating with a different oneof said ports, said valve member having a plurality of operative positions for effecting different connections between the ports and being movable from one operative .position to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between said ports,

means for moving said valve member from oneoperative position to a succeeding operative position, said means comprising ratchet mechanism including an actuating member adapted to be oscillated, and means for restricting the amplitude of the oscillations of said actuating member, said actuating member being responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause movement of the valve member sumciently to effect complete closure of the ports with respect' to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports with respect to a different connection between the ports.

5. Regenerative watersoftening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a rotatable valve member, said valve member having a plurality of operative positions for effecting different connections between the ports and being rotatable from one operative position to a succeeding operative position to alter the connections between the ports, means for rotating said valve member from one operative position to a succeeding operative position, said means comprising an abutment on said valve member and a pivotally mounted member having a plurality of teeth adapted to successively cooperate with said abutment, and means for restricting movement of said pivotally mounted member, said pivotally mounted member being responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause rotation of said valve member sufliciently to effect complete closure of the ports with respect to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports with respect to a diiferent connection between the ports.

6. Regenerative water softening apparatus comprising, in combination, a vessel adapted to contain a body of regenerative water softening material, a plurality of conduits arranged to permit water softening and regenerative operations to be effected, a master valve formed with a plurality of ports and comprising a rotatable' ing a plurality of teeth adapted to engage said abutments, the number of said teeth being a multiple of the number of said abutments. means for resiliently holding said plate in engagement with said valve member, an actuating lever for oscillating said plate, and a cover plate having an opening through which said lever passes, the walls of said opening providing stops limiting the amplitude of the oscillations of said lever, said lever being responsive to and requiring a plurality of actuating impulses to cause rotation of said valve member suiiiciently to effect complete closure of the ports with respect to one connection between the ports and a plurality of actuating impulses to effect complete opening of the ports with respect to a different connection between the ports.

TORD ERIK DANIEL BILDE. 

